Flexible shaft remote-control switch



@do M i952 R. D. LIGHTFooT FLEXIBLE SHAFT REMOTE- CONTROL SWTCH Filed July 26, 3.950l

INVENTOR.` M01-@www mm, TTY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNI-TED STATES Vaislar ori-Ica ITC Richard n. Lightfoot, oai; Para, nl.

Application July .26, 1950, Serial No. 176,09

(ci. scc- 172) -v i Claims.

vThis invention relates in general to remote control switches and is particularly concerned with a iiexible shaft remote control switch adapted for employment adjunctively to hospital nurse call switch systems.

Otherwise stated, the invention is embodied in a vflexible shaft remote control switch adaptable as an extension to the conventional electrical hospital nurse calll switch.

More specifically stated, it is a. general object accomplishment of the invention to provide a flexible shaft remote control switch which has no electrical contacts or wiring but is operable to control the operation of the conventional hospital nurse call switch which is provided with suitable contacts and wiring. o Another aspect of the invention is to provide a remote control for an electrical switch for advantageous employment in situations where it is desirable that no electrical contacts or wiring be present such as, for example, in an oxygen tent or thelike or, in rooms where explosive or inflammable gases may loe-present.

An ancillary object and accomplishment of the invention is to provide a new and improved eXible shaft remote control switch which is adapted to be economically manufactured and which is so designed as to permit the manufacture and assembly thereof in accordance with present day large scale mass production manufacturing methods Aof construction and assem- The4 invention seeks, as a further kobject and accomplishment, to provide a flexible shaft remote control switch' particularly characterized by a design-'arrangement to more advantageously and satisfactorily perform the functions required of it and adapted to provide a compact unit which will successfully combine the-factors of structural simplicity andA durability, and yet be economical to manufacture. y

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after the construction and operation are understood from the within description.

rIt is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention and to practice the same in substantially the manner as hereinafter more fully described, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Embodiments of theV invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

Fi'gfl is .aside elevational vew'of a flexibleV shaft remote control switch embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the iiexible shaft remote control switch depicted in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of a bracket for attachment of the flexible shaft remote control switch to the conventional hospital nurse call switch; l

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the bracket depicted in Fig. 3 and being taken substantially on the plane of the line il-l in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the bracket depicted in Fig. 3 and being taken substantially on the plane of the line 5 5 in Fig. 4.

The drawings are to be understood to be more or less of a schematic character for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing typical or preferred forms of the improvements contem plated herein and in the drawings like reference characters identify the same parts in the several views.

As one possible example of advantageous employment of the flexible shaft remote control switch contemplated by this invention, reference is made to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, wherein there is illustrated the flexible shaft remote control switch with which the present invention is particularly concerned and generally indicated at each instance by the numeral lil as being operatively attached to a conventional hospital nurse call switch indicated in its entirety by the letter A.

The conventional hospital nurse call switch A may comprise a casefd having operatively disposed therein electrical contacts il engageable by the end portions of a shaft 22 forming a part of the push button 23 which proi'ects outwardly of the case 23, said push button being spring pressed by virtue of the spring 2&7, and being provided with a manually release-,ble holder clamp 25 which clamp is adapted to hold the push button 23 when pushed inwardly of the case 28 until the push button is manually released.

The contacts 2i are connected with suitable wires 2l which run to the conventional call board (not shown) which may have suitable indicating lights or a buzzer system.

Sufce it to say, since the invention is not particularly concerned with the precise construction of the conventional hospital nurse call switch A, and/or its associated parts,they will not be further described in detail, and it is deemed suliicient for all intentions and purposes herein contained to show only portions thereof adjacent to and vcooperating. with the flexible.

shaft remote control switch contemplated here` in. It is to be understood that details of construction of such conventional call switches as at A and with which the flexible shaft remote control switch may advantageously be employed. may be modified to suit particular conditions or to satisfy the engineering genius of various manufacturers, and I do not wish to be limited to the construction of these elements as set forth except where such construction particularly concerns the invention contemplated herein.

Having thus described, by way of example, a possible adaptation of the flexible shaft remote control switch, and having generally described the environment surrounding the adaptation, the specific construction and cooperative functions of the parts of the flexible shaft remote control switch with which the present invention is particularly concerned, will now be described in detail.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. l and 2, the flexible shaft remote control switch 20 contemplated by the instant convention comprises, in general, a remote control depressible button type switch indicated in its entirety by the numeral 30, a flexible shaft indicated in its entirety by the numeral 40, and a bracket indicated in its entirety by the numeral 50, said flexible shaft 40 being connected respectively at the opposite ends thereof to the remote control switch 30 and the bracket 50, said bracket 50 being adapted for removable securement to the case 28 of the conventional switch A in the manner as shown.

The remote control switch 33 comprises a casing 3| having removable end covers 32 and 33 and disposed within said casing 3| there is provided a button plunger 34 provided with an enlarged portion 35 adapted as a stop to limit the outward movement of the button plunger 34. The end cover 33 is provided with a sleeve 36 adapted to receive end portions of the flexible shaft 40 and the flexible shaft 40 is fixedly held in this position by virtue of the set screw 31. In order to urge the button plunger 34 outwardly of the case 3| there is provided the spring 38. Otherwise stated, the button plunger can only be forced into the casing 3| when sufficient force is applied and when the force is removed the button plunger will be urged outwardly to its normal position.

The flexible shaft 40 comprises a flexible housing 4| adapted to retain therein a flexible shaft 42 the end portions 43 of which are adapted to be received into portions of the button plunger. These two elements may be secured together by swagging or the like. The other end of the shaft 42 is provided with a cup-like element 44 adapted to engage and receive portions of the button 23 as shown, so that any force transmitted to the button plunger 34 will be translated to the button 23.

The bracket 50 is provided with a clamp 5| adapted to receive end portions of the flexible shaft housing 4|. The bracket 50 is also provided with bent arms 52 and 53 disposed between the clamp and a second clamp 54 which is adapted to encircle the case 28 and is provided with a screw means 55 to effect securement of the bracket 50 to the case 28.

The operation of the device is as follows: Under normal circumstances each hospital bed is provided With a nurse call switch substantially as shown at A; however, in some instances such as,

for example, in oxygen tents or in rooms where inflammable or explosive gases are present, switches as at A having electrical wiring and electrical contacts are undesirable and it is therefore necessary to eliminate such switches from the room or the tent in order to protect the patient. By employing the principles of this invention the flexible shaft remote control switch 30 may be disposed within the tent or gas-filled room within the reach of the patient while the switch A having the electrical contacts and electrical wiring may be disposed remotely from the tent or gas-filled room and said switch A may be thus effectively remotely operated by the patient without danger or injury.

In operation, the button 23 of the conventional switch A is usually held in its depressed position by virtue of the release holder clamp 25 until manually released by the nurse. Thus, when the button plunger 34 is depressed by the patient the force will be translated to the button 23 by virtue of the flexible shaft 42 and the cup-like element 44 and will cause the button '23 to assume its depressed position to engage the contacts 2| which will operate the indicating lights or buzzers (not shown) on the conventional call board (not shown). Although the button 23 is held in its depressed position until manually released, the button plunger 34 will immediately assume its normal position by virtue of the spring 38 upon release of the force upon the button plunger 34. When the nurse answers the call the button 23 is manually released whereupon the button will assume i ts normal position in engagement with the cup 44.

It can be seen that the flexible shaft remote control switch 20 can be conveniently assembled or attached to the conventional switch A without the necessity of modification or alteration of same.

Although I have illustrated the principles of the present invention as being applicable to a hospital nurse call system, it is obvious that the instant switch may be advantageously employed in conjunction with any type of electrical switch of the depressible button type particularly where it is desirable that the electrical contacts or wiring shall be remote from the control because of inflammable or explosive hazards.

The instant flexible shaft remote control switch, being formed of simple parts and readily available materials, lends itself to mass production manufacturing principles, thus affording a substantial saving in the manufacturing cost.

From the foregoing disclosure, it may be observed that I have provided an improved flexible shaft remote control switch which eiliciently fulfills the Objects thereof as hereinbefore stated and which provides numerous advantages which may be summarized as follows:

1. structurally simple, efficient and durable;

2. Economical to manufacture and readily adaptable to mass production manufacturing principles; and

3. The provision for an electrical switch of a remote control which has no contacts or wiring and adapted for advantageous employment under conditions where it is desirable that no electrical contacts or wiring be present.

While I have illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but wish to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. For a hospital nurse call switch, a remote control therefor comprising a depressible buttontype switch, a flexible housing with one end thereof connected to said remote control switch and having operatively disposed therein a flexible shaft having one end connected to the button of said remote control switch, a bracket secured to the other end of the flexible housing and adapted for removable attachment to the nurse call switch, and means including a cup shaped member carried by the other end of the flexible shaft, and engageable with the button of the nurse call switch, whereby manual force exerted upon the button of the remote control switch will be translated to the button of the nurse call switch to operate the same, said depressible button-type switch having spring means to urge said button back to the original position immediately upon release of said manual force, and said nurse call switch having means to maintain the same in operative position until manually released.

2. In a remote control for a nurse call switch, the combination with a depressible button-type switch, of an enclosed flexible shaft having one end thereof connected to the button of said button-type switch and having at the other end thereof means including a cup shaped member engageable with the button of the nurse call switch, bracket means at the end of said enclosed flexible shaft opposite to the button-type switch and adapted for removable attachment to the nurse call switch, said nurse call switch being operable responsive to manual force applied to the button of the depressible button-type switch, and spring means in said depressible button-type switch operable to urge said button back to the original position immediately upon release of said manual force, and said nurse call switch having means to maintain the same in operative position until manually released.

3. In a remote control for an electrical switch, the combination with a depressible button-type switch, of an enclosed flexible shaft having one end thereof connected to the button of said button-type switch, means including a cup shaped member carried by the other end of the ilexible shaft and engageable with the button of the electrical switch, bracket means at the end of said enclosed flexible shaft opposite to the button-type switch and adapted for removable attachment to the electrical switch, said electrical switch being operable responsive to manual force applied to the button of the depressible button-type switch, and spring means in said depressible button-type switch operable to urge said button back to the original position immediately upon release of said manual force, and said electrical switch having mechanical means operable to maintain the electrical switch in operative position until manually released.

e. For an electrical switch, a remote control therefor comprising a depressible button-type switch, a flexible housing with one end thereof connected to said remote control switch, a flexible shaft movably disposed within said housing and having one end connected to the button of said remote control switch, a bracket secured to the other end of the flexible housing and adapted for removable attachment to the electrical switch, and means comprising a cup shaped member carried by the other end of the flexible shaft and engageable with the button of the electrical switch, whereby manual force exerted upon the button of the remote control switch will be translated to the button of the electrical switch to operate the same, said depressible button-type switch having spring means operable to urge said button back to the original position immediately upon removal of said manual force, and said electrical switch having mechanical means operable to maintain said electrical switch closed until manually released.

RICHARD D. LIGHTFOOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 435,866 Streichenberg Sept. 2, 1890 1,305,649 Freytag June 3, 1919 1,331,311 Au I p Feb. 17, 1920 

